Web 2.0 Tools Ease Renovation Service Disruptions at The Ohio State University Libraries

The Thompson Library, the main library of The Ohio State University (OSU), began a major renovation in fall 2006 that required the library to close for three years. During this time, the bulk of the circulating collection and many of the personnel relocated to an interim facility. The distance imposed by the renovation created special challenges for service to patrons and communication among library faculty and staff. The OSU Libraries used blogs, podcasts, a wiki, instant messaging, and the campus course management system to reach as many of the constituents of the campus community as possible

Alternative Solutions for Off-Campus Authentication

The Ohio State University Libraries created scripts to overcome the local limitations of the proxy server and to offer resource connections at the point of need. All libraries struggle to provide seamless authentication for access to paid resources, such as research databases and electronic journals. In order to obtain access to this content, the libraries must sign contracts promising to limit access to these resources to their user community. The challenge then comes in balancing the patron’s need for easy access to these rich data sources from any computer and the vendors’ desire to protect their assets

Using Google Analytics in the Proprietary OPAC

Intended for OPAC administrators and others who are interested in the way we can use this information to make library catalogs more user-friendly and efficient, the presentation provides an overview of the impact Google Analytics has on uncovering the mysteries of how library users search the proprietary OPAC, as well as details on how to interpret the data and draw conclusions to aid design and policy decisions. Bringing usage patterns to the forefront can provide information that helps libraries create resource discovery tools that offer users the choices and help they need